- Source: Mike Salinas (drag racer)
Michael George Salinas (born April 27, 1961) is an American NHRA drag racer. He is the father of drag racers Jasmine Salinas and Jianna Evaristo.
Racing career
= Early career
=Salinas was introduced to racing by his dad who raced during the 60’s and 70’s at Fremont Drag Strip and Little Bonneville in California. From 2001 to 2009, Mike began competing in the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 and 7.0 Pro Class at his home tracks in Bakersfield and Sacramento. In 2009, he decided to pursue his professional license and received his NHRA license in Top Fuel at the Texas Motorplex.
= NHRA Top Fuel Dragster & Pro Mod
=In 2011, Mike made his professional debut in NHRA Top Fuel on a part-time schedule. I wouldn't be until 2018 where he would begin racing on a full-time schedule.
In 2021, he made his Professional debut in a second category, Pro Mod, competing in the NHRA E3 Spark Plugs Series while simultaneously competing in Top Fuel.
Throughout his professional career he has secured 9 event wins, reset multiple speed and track records, and became the first person in Motorsports History to reach 300 mph in the 1/8th mile.
= Career highlights
=2017
Earned a career-best two round wins.
Qualified for the Auto Club Road to the Future Award
Reset career bests in time (3.779) in Sonoma and speed (324.90) in Pomona.
Qualified at all seven races he attended.
2018
Reached NHRA Countdown to the Championship for the first time
Made first final-round appearance in Bristol
Reset career bests in elapsed time and speed
2019
Earned first career win in Las Vegas (spring) and went on to win in Bristol
Raced to a career-best elapsed time and speed
Secured five No. 1 qualifier positions
2021
Picked up second straight win at Bristol
Advanced to four final rounds
Earned two No. 1 qualifiers
Finished a career-best third in points
2022
Finished in the top five for a second straight year
Won a career-best four races
Advanced to six final rounds and was the points leader for two races
Picked up three No. 1 qualifiers
2023
Made motorsports history with the first 300 mph 1/8th mile run at Betway NHRA Carolina Nationals
Qualified for Pep Boys All Star Shootout
Made the 3rd fastest pass in NHRA History with 338.26 mph at Brainerd International Raceway, making him the fastest Man in NHRA
Personal life
Salinas is of Mexican-Commanche-Spanish descent. His family resides in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. He is the father of NHRA Top Fuel driver Jasmine Salinas and Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Jianna Evaristo.
When he's not racing, Mike and his wife, Monica, along with his daughters, have been running their family-owned business, Valley Services, since 1986.
Motorsports Career Results
= Top Fuel
=References
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Mike Salinas (drag racer)
- Jasmine Salinas
- Angelle Sampey
- RuPaul's Drag Race
- Jasmine (given name)
- Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer
- Top Fuel
- New England Dragway
- Deaths in August 2024
- 1986 in the United States
